Agenda item

Report of Corporate Director for Resident Services

Further to minute 33, dated 14 December 2021, Shaun Miles, Head of Markets and Fairs, presented the report, highlighting that the December report requested authority to participate and draw down grant monies for refugees resettled into the partnership to 2022-23 (with funding until 2025-26), and ensured approval for urgent work underway to commission new resettlement casework and ESOL services for the client group. He further stated that this report sought further approval around grant funded ad-hoc spend and delegated authority for the drawdown of relevant grant monies up to £7,000,000 for refugees resettled in the partnership between 2023-2026 and their legacy funding (5 years’ maximum to 2031), in line with corporate governance and funding of the contracts as per Home Office ways of working.

In response to a question, Mr Miles stated that the service included mental health provision, play activities and registration with/access to GP/CAMHS services etc.

Resolved

(1)  to approve:

(i)  extension of participation in the refugee resettlement schemes to the end of the financial year 2030-31, meaning new arrivals will arrive until the end of the financial year 2025-26, with a five-year funding taper;

(ii)  continuation of Accountable Body duties in support of neighbouring first-tier authorities to deliver resettlement;

(iii)  delegation of spending authority on other required services within NCC, County, District partners and externally with the voluntary sector and local businesses and landlords, in accordance with delegated scheme of authority, subject to compliance with Home Office Funding Instructions and Nottingham City Council’s constitutional requirements, up to the end of financial year 2030-31.

(2)  to authorise acceptance and drawdown of relevant grant monies;

(3)  to grant delegated authority to the Corporate Director for Resident Services to:

(i)  approve the outcome of the tender processes commenced following the 14 December 2021 Committee approvals for both the casework contract (valued at up to £2.5million over 5 years) and the ESOL contract (up to £600,000 over the 5 years), and to sign and award the contracts;

(ii)  recruit 2 additional fixed term staff for this project in order to improve the service, governance and contractual arrangements.

Reasons for recommendations

1.  The Resettlement programme is fully Home Office funded – staff time and redundancy costs are factored into this.

2.  This work is also in accordance with Strategic Council Plan 2021-23 Key Outcome One: ‘To be a city that welcomes those in need of refuge or shelter’.

3.  It should also be noted that central Government funding instructions are frequently changing in parameters and timescales, and are often issued after implementation has begun. UKRS funding instructions were issued in April 2021, while ARAP and ACRS funding instructions were substantially altered and reissued in August 2021 and January 2022.

4.  The three schemes are now aligned in funding amount and confirmed to run for 5 years with a 3 to 5-year funding taper in place, so it is prudent to seek governance for the five years at this stage providing the opportunity to ensure commissioning, staffing and service delivery are planned over the timeframe of the schemes.

5.  Allowing 5 years of funding flows into NCC will enable the contracts (as described in Dec 2021 report) and staffing in the programme to be on a secure footing.

6.  In addition to the current 2.3 staff permanent staff currently on this project there is the intention to recruit two fixed term posts focused on the contracts and governance side of the work specifically. This will ensure compliance with NCC’s new working models and to secure efficiencies with aligned contracts/ grants.

7.  Taking a five-year view enables the city to improve governance for the projects and set out improved commissioning and grant aid processes rather than responding to crisis with each new policy announcement.

8.  These schemes provide for UNHCR recognised refugees, they are comprehensive in providing housing and education, advice to employment and benefits, integration and English language support.

9.  Improved longevity in this funding enables supporting departments such as the Adaptations Agency, Education and CAMHS to secure additional resource for this cohort, freeing up and adding capacity in the system.

Other options considered

1.  Decline to participate in schemes – this may result in capacity reduction or closure of key voluntary services, which would displace support needs back to Nottingham City Council, without additional resources.

2.  Continue to seek year on year approval to bring in refugees through resettlement schemes – this is a time consuming process which would reduce stability for staff and service users.